Written by Dorothea Hofmann
Designed by Matthias Hofmann
Triest Verlag, CHF 66.80, €65
In German

It all started with a letter that Dorothea Hofmann sat down to write to Philip B. Meggs, author of A History of Graphic Design in 2001. Hofmann, a graduate of the famous Allgemeine Gewerbeschule Basel and wife of over 60 years to Armin Hofmann, one of its legendary designers and teachers, meant to follow up on an earlier discussion with the design historian. She strongly felt that he held some misconceptions on the origins of the Swiss Style that had to be addressed.

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Top: Poster inserted into Die Geburt eines Stils (right), designed by Matthias Hofmann. The poster comprehensively links key figures and institutions from the rich history of Swiss graphic design. The poster is printed on both sides of a translucent paper – text one side, images on reverse. Photograph: Ed Park.

Rose Epple, designer, Berlin

Read the full version in Eye no. 95 vol. 24, 2018

Eye is the world’s most beautiful and collectable graphic design journal, published quarterly for professional designers, students and anyone interested in critical, informed writing about graphic design and visual culture. It is available from all good design bookshops and online at the Eye shop, where you can buy subscriptions and single issues. You can see what Eye 95 looks like at Eye Before You Buy on Vimeo.